Ultimate Hunza Valley Travel Guide – Information About Hunza Valley
This blog is first Ultimate Hunza Valley Travel Guide where you will find all important Information About Hunza Valley trips and tours
H unza is one of Pakistan's most beautiful Valley. Surrounded by high snow covered alps, Hunza is ideal location for Summer escapees and mountain lovers. Hunza river is also passing through the Lush green valley and hospitable people are there to welcome you to make your hunza trip a life time experience. Hunza valley is also a delicate mixture of culture and modernity. Education level is high and crime rate is almost zero. And yes, I liked Hunza so much that I visited Hunza six times.
I am so much inspired by the beauty of Hunza valley, hospitality of people and tasty food that I am writing my first blog for my website on Hunza. In this Hunza Valley Travel Guide, I will tell you each and every aspect about Hunza tour so that you dont miss out any important thing and regret afterwards. So lets start our Hunza Valley guide.
This Hunza Valley Travel Guide is for those who are planning to Visit Beautiful Norther Areas of Pakistan.
Yes, if you have not visited Hunza Valley yet, then after reading this Hunza guide, you should be able to plan your hunza trip by your own if in any case you do not want to take Hunza tour package by any tour operator. This Hunza guide will cover all aspects of your trip to hunza from travelling advice, to hotel stay, from foods to taste to places to visit.
But Before Starting This Hunza Guide, Why Travel to Hunza ?
This is the single most asked question asked to me. The answer is simple. That Hunza is beautiful, developed, peaceful, cultured and is in the way to China and Worlds highest pass, commonly known as Khunjerab Pass. This single valley offers a lot more things in a single place that if your planning your first tour with friends, official group or family then Hunza should be on number one place on your bucket list. Every year more than 5 million people visit Hunza Valley in Summer.
In this Hunza Travel Guide, You will find all the information Step by step for you Hunza Tour
So if you are planning to go on Hunza Tour, you can save this Travel guide for your best hunza valley tour experience. Or if you know any of your friend or relative is planning to visit Hunza then you can send this Guide to them for their best experience.
So without any further ado, lets start our Hunza Valley Travel Guide.
- Best Season to Visit Hunza Valley
General rule of thumb is that, whenever planning a vocational trip, taking weather into consideration is a good idea. Especially when you are planning to visit northern areas of Pakistan. There are three main seasons to visit Hunza Valley,
Summer Season
Summer Season is by far the most loved season by Pakistani's and foreigners due to its cold season even in June and July which are the warmest months in Pakistan. People from all Pakistan flock to Hunza, region of Gilgit-Baltistan to escape scorching summer season in Southern parts of Pakistan.
Winter Season
Winter is another great season for Hunza tour but keep in mind that it touches minus temperature from December to February. Lower Hunza receives medium snowfall in winter however upper Hunza receives heavy snowfall in winter season. Good news is that roads are always open for traffic and good heating system is installed in hotels and motels in Hunza. Dont forget to warm clothes, gloves, caps, mufflers and appropriate shoes with you in winter trip to Hunza Valley.
Autumn Season
Autumn is yet another scenic season to view the beauty of Hunza. In this season fallen, dry leaves of trees present magnificent view of beauty of Hunza valley. This season is darling of photographers, artists, travelogue writers and Introvert people.
Stuff to Keep with you on your visit to Hunza
Depending on the season you are planning to visit this enchanting valley, you will have to keep stuff accordingly. If it is winter then you will need warm collection of clothes, woolen soaks, mufflers. And even if it is not winter then still need to have reasonable warmer clothes as it is 10 to 15 degrees at night and 5 to 10 degrees in Upper Hunza region.
Nevertheless you will need following stuff for a better experience of Hunza Valley.
Warm Clothes
CNIC Card
Rain Coats
Woolen Soaks
Nice Grip Shoes
Trekking Stick, if you are planning to treck.
Good Camera or A phone with Good Camera
Journey with Tour Operator or on your own.
This is also the puzzling part whenever deciding for a tour to any destination let alone Hunza. That whether to travel with a tour operator in their group tour or travel by yourself. Well my answer is, this really depends. If you Opt to travel with group tour operator it has its own advantages and disadvantages and if you want to have a trip on your own then it also has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Below is a comparison in both the scenarios.
Travel with Tour Operator
Travelling with group tour operator has many benefits, such as its low cost, you will not have to spend time in managing your tour as everything from stay to food will be planned by your tour operator. You will meet new people who will become friends and it will result in increasing your friends circle. Group tour means more fun less boredom. It also negates sense of insecurity in new places. However Hunza is one of the most safe places in the world.
On contrary, Travelling in group has its own disadvantages such as you will be bound with the group. You will have to wake up and sleep as per the plan by tour operator resulting in less freedom to enjoy the places. Lack of privacy is also another issue as you will be sharing room with strangers. Sometimes tour operators are not credible and they ruin your tour and as a result your money.
This is not a PAID POST but "HikeWhiz Travel & Tours" is one of the finest Tour Operators in Pakistan. They provide best Hunza Valley and northern areas of Pakistan tours in best price and quality services.
Traveling on Your Own.
Travelling on your own has lots of plus points and minus points. For example, nature related tours are all about feeling the vibes natural views has to offer for this you stop every point you want to. Spend as much time at a certain point you want to spend. But with a group of people you are bound to travel as per groups plan.
Travel to Hunza Valley
The journey from Islamabad to Hunza Valley is one of the most picturisque. There are two main roads to go to Hunza Valley. One is from Naran Valley, which is seasonal and is closed in Winter season due to heavy snow from upper Naran Valley to Babusar Pass. The other road is Karakoram Highway, which is open throughout the year. Both the roads offer beautiful scenery however road from Naran Valley to Hunza valley is a little shorter and comparatively more greener than KKH.
In Your Journey from KKH you will see
Mansehra Valley
Naran Valley if Going through Kaghan.
Besham, If going through KKH.
Chilas Valley
Three Mountain Range's Junction
Gilgit City
Nagar Valley
Rakaposhi View Point
and much more.
Stay in Hunzza
In Hunza, you have hotels of every range to stay. From five star four star Serena hotel to rooms as low as 2500 Rs per night. You can also stay in camps or in new style of stay such as glamps. Hunza has much much more variety in terms of stay than any other tourist spot in Pakistan. And this makes hunza tourism a different experience.
My list of five best hotels in Hunza according to services and charges.
Lexus Hotel Hunza
Lexus Hunza or Lexus grand Hunza is situated at the bank of Attabad Lake. You can view this beautiful blue water lake from the window of your room. So it is a number one choice but yes rooms are costly and in season price may go up as much as Rs. 20,000 per night per standard room.
Serena Hotel Hunza
Serena Hotel Hunza is the most luxurious hotel in Hunza Valley. Serena is a hotel chain and is part of Hashoo group. This same hotel chain owns Marriott Hotels and PC hotels in Pakistan. Serena hotel Hunza offers great services.
Hunza Glamping
Hunza Glamping resort is by far my most favorite place to stay in Hunza. Glamping is relatively a new concept in Pakistan and Hunza Glamping is the pioneer in this style of tourist point stay location. Their services are awesome, food is great and their manager Sheheryar aka Sherry is a very decent and fun person. Hunza Glamping is situated at the edge of mountain in the way to KKH to Hunza valley Karimabad Centre. From her you can not only view Rakaposhi but also Hunza Valley. Sherry also run travel guide business with the name "TourdeGB". I highly recommend you take his services for best Hunza Experience.
PTDC Hunza
PTDC Hunza is a government owned hotel. It is situated at the entrance of Hunza Valley at a very beautiful point. PTDC Hunza is also much cheaper as compared to Serena Hotel, Darbar Hotel or Lexus Hotel but dont forget to pre book your stay in PTDC as due to its low rates, many people try to stay their in the first place. But its okay if you cant get a room here, you will definitely find a reasonable room in Five thousand rupees range.
Hunza Continental
Hunza Continental is one of the finest hotel in medium budget category. Their rooms are clean, staff is cooperative and food is reasonably delicious. So no matter if you are on a budget tour or Luxury tour, Your stay in Hunza Continental will be equally comfortable and memorable.
There are many more great hotels in Hunza Valley and surrounding and this list is based on my experience. You can always experience different hotels as per your budget.
Places to Visit in "The Hunza"
Yes, I used the with Hunza because Hunza is really the only place which has to offer number of places to visit. So undoubtedly Hunza wins in this regards. Hunza has a number of different types of places to visit and activities to do either solo or with group.
Below is a tiny list of places yet these are most important places keeping in mind your Seven day stay in Hunza Valley which you should not miss out.
Eagles Nest Hunza
Eagles Nest Hunza
Eagles Nest Hunza is a place in Duiker Valley right above Karimabad you should never miss in your trip to Hunza Valley. The place got its name because of a natural rock carving almost resembling to Eagle. This place has a hotel with the same name. You can enjoy good food and nice coffee there. As this place is at more height than Karimabad in Hunza therefore it is more cold there. S even if you are visiting in the summer and in the day time even then dont forget to have jacket with with you. Sunset at Eagles nest famous so plan accordingly.
Altit Fort & Baltit Fort
Altit Fort View From Baltit Fort
These two places are in Karimabad. Altit fort and Baltit fort are two structures of Historical values. These are almost 500 to 300 years old and were abode of Last "Meer" until 70s. Both of these forts can be visited after paying entry fee which is three hundred rupees. You can find a guide who will give you valuable information and manage your systematic tour of these forts.
Karimabad Bazar
Karimabad Bazar is in the heart of Karimabad in Hunza. You can purchase traditional ladies and gents dresses here, local dry fruits, Local caps and Local Shawls.
Attabad Lake
Attabad Lake is at half hour away from Karimabad. The recently built road is beautiful and passes through many tunnels. At Attabad lake you can ride jet ski, you can do boating or you can just sit and relax. There are many hotels which offers tasty snakes and food.
Passu Cones
Passu Cones Hunza Valley
Passu Cones are pointed shaped peaks just like cones of ice creams. From where it derived its name. These series of look alike peaks is one of the most beautiful scenery while going from Lower Hunza to Upper Hunza.
Hussaini Bridge
Hussaini Bridge Upper Hunza Valley
Hussaini Bridge Location is just after you see Passu Cones. Hussaini bridge connects another valley with KKH which are otherwise separated by Hunza River. You have to park you car and walk upto the point of bridge. This area and this bridge is accessible throughout the year.
Khunjerab Pass
Khunjerab Pass or Khunjerab National Park is four hours drive away from Karimabad, Hunza. Khunjerab pass is world's highest pass. Situated at the height of 16,000 feet above sea level, Khunjerab national park is open for only few months in the whole year from May end to October first week. The road is smooth and metaled therefore even mini cars go there easily. This place lack oxygen so spending more than an hour is not a good idea as you may get sick and have to rush back to Sost.
Rakaposhi Viewpoint
Rakaposhi Viewpoint, Nagar Valley
Although Situated in Nagar Valley, Rakaposhi view point is a must visit place in your tour. Rakaposhi is the only mountain in the world which raises to a height of 25550 from cultivated lands making it worlds 27th largest mountain. Rakaposhi is snow covered mountain which is mostly hidden under clouds and lucky people get a chance to see the peak of the mountain when there are no clouds. At Rakaposhi view point you can have food, snakes and drinks. There are hotels for stay as well.
There are many other beautiful places to visit and trek which require a complete book for the same topic however if you visit only these places which I mentioned then your tour is complete. You can come on an adventure tour for trekking and hiking.
Foods to Taste
You will find almost all varieties of food in Hunza. You will find easily fast food, Pakistani cuisines, Chinese foods, Pizza and Local traditional foods. Below are the names of famous Hunza Local dishes to satisfy your taste buds.
Harrisa
Chabshuro
Mamtu
Diram Fitti
Go Lee
Daudo
Shopan
Tumoro